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John Fay has been the Reds beat writer for the Enquirer since 2001. Prior to that, he served in a variety of roles for the Enquirer: backup Reds writer, UC beat writer, backup Bengals writer and as a general assignment reporter. He is a Cincinnati native and a graduate of Elder High School and the University of Dayton.

Friday, March 7, 2008

Another step closer to Arizona

John Allen, who is representing the Reds in the quest for a new spring home, met with Goodyear City Council Thursday.

"It went very, very well," Allen said. "It was the first time I got to tell city council what we're about. They met in closed session and afterward. They told the staff to continue the discussions. It wasn't a landmark meeting. But we're moving forward."

Allen reiterated that if the financing can be secured the Reds will move to Goodyear.

"That is correct," Allen said. "(CEO) Bob Castellini has signed off on that."

The cost of the Reds' portion of the facility in Goodyear would about $30 million. Financing for the stadium, which the Reds would share with the Cleveland Indians, is already secure. The facilities would include six practice fields, a half field and 38,000 feet of office space and clubhouse space.

Allen is making no predictions aobut whether the deal will get done.

"It's still going forward," he said. "But, after what we've been through the last six years in Sarasota, I'm not going to handicap anything."

the reds wont move to zona until 2010 at the earliest, the reds facility isnt finished yet

This will anger a lot of fans, and probably have a lot of people blaming the reds for moving and going against the fans and so forth. the truth is this move is for the best overall for the franchise. the goal of ST is to have a good ST not to appease fans, plus the club will save $9 mil to spend on some friggin pitching AND a top notch facility.

Short on optionsAdding a second team is estimated to cost $33 million, Interim City Manager Brian Dalke said. If funding is secured, the Reds would not train in Goodyear until 2010.

An exclusivity agreement was signed Jan. 28 by Goodyear and the Reds. It prevents both parties from seeking other teams/training facilities for 75 days. A finance package is to be in place by March 13 and the exclusivity agreement ends April 11, Dalke said.

Finding ways to fund the facility is proving challenging, he said. The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority and a voter-passed bond helped Goodyear pay for the Indians' $75 million facility.

Going back to the AZSTA has been considered, Dalke said. He and Mayor Jim Cavanaugh have been meeting with AZSTA members to discuss finance options.

A Feb. 21 letter sent to Cavanaugh by AZSTA Chairwoman Debbie Johnson expresses support for adding to the Cactus League but recognizes that the authority will not be able to give any money to Goodyear.

"In short, there has been nothing in the performance of our revenues that would support becoming more optimistic on our prospects for future revenues from our [Maricopa County Stadium District Intergovernmental Agreement]. And, the revenues from our tourism taxes that are earmarked for Cactus League promotion are fixed by statute," Johnson wrote.

"We wish you well with your efforts to identify funding that would allow the Reds to relocate to Arizona, but we are unable to offer any further funding beyond those monies previously committed to you in support of the current project scope and budget for Goodyear," she wrote.

having JUST gotten to Sarasota for my initial Spring Training, I think there is a better than fair chance Marj and I will attend the final pre-season in Sarasota. As promised, Siesta Key Beach was a WONDER! The sequaro cactus is also wonderful to behold... but seeing sunset on that glorious white sand beach, with ospreys diving for dinner in a slow pattern overhead, will be missed by future generations... Ed Smith is a retro-ball park... not anything "special" yet the sun wasgrand and the fans full of vigor and joy. Cuban food is good stuff... I wonder if they feature"bacalaitos" in Goodyear? I think not... There WILL be nostalgia for Sarasota... RIP Siesta Key~~

Jeff, thanks for your post. Very enlightening. Sounds like moving to Arizona is far from being a 'done' deal. The Reds still will need a 'High A' league team and facility because they're not going to play in 115 degree heat during the summer so Sarasota is still superior in that respect.

I just got back from Sarasota. I loved visiting Florida. I wish we could stay. But walking around the ballpark and facilities that the Reds use there its obvious that Sarasota has let them fall apart for years.The bathroom the women on the trip used were better off condemed.

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